Gem Setting in Basket

ABSTRACT

A gem setting with a tapered basket has a width of a central gem stone plus smaller surrounding gem stones at one end. At another end, the tapered basket is narrower and the central gem stone sits there-within. The smaller gem stones cover at least some of the facets of the larger gem stone, with a continuous visual appearance between the smaller and larger gemstones making the central gem appear larger. The angle offset of the tables of the smaller stones can be equal to that one of an adjacent facet (adjacent by way of visual appearance or actual distance there-to), or an averaged angle of facets which generally face the respective smaller stone. The basket itself can have a flat base with circular cross sections and indentations at the top for placement of stones.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

The disclosed technology relates generally to the setting of gemstones,and more specifically to a setting of a gem stone in a tapered basket.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

Diamonds and other gemstones are often set on rings, necklaces,bracelets, and other jewelry. These stones are also expensive due totheir high demand, strength, longevity, and relative rareness. In theearlier part of the 1900s, women often received two karat diamonds uponengagement. Today, women often receive no more than half a karat. Theprice of such stones can keep some out of the market for larger orhigher quality gems, but the desire to have the look and feel of abeautiful ring is still very much desired.

What is needed in the art is a way to produce a setting using smallerstone, with the look of a larger stone.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

Embodiments of the disclosed technology include a gem setting with acasted basket. The basket itself can have a flat base, the flat baseforming a first smallest circumference of tapered side walls of thebasket. The basket can also have alternating stems and portals at amid-region of the tapered side walls, the stems being of a unitaryconstruction and forming a continuous plane with the first smallestcircumference of the tapered side walls as well as a largestcircumference of the casted basket. In other words, the portals cut intothe sides of the basket at intervals, while the basket walls are stillotherwise continuous. The largest circumference can be interrupted bymultiple indentations with a smaller gem held in each such indentation.The size of the smaller gem(s) is/are “smaller” relative to a largercenter gem having a mass at least two, three, five, eight, ten, ortwenty times of each smaller gem. The larger gem can have a table and atleast a part of facets thereof visible from a top side of the gemsetting, the top side being defined as a side opposite the (flat) base.Each smaller gem can obstruct when looking at a top view of the gemsetting, at least a portion of the facets of the larger gem.

Each smaller gem can also have a table substantially parallel orparallel to an average or equalized angle of the facets of the largergem. The relevent facets referred to are those which point in thegeneral direction of the smaller gem (wherein “general direction” and/orthe referred to facets of the larger gem refers to those facets of thelarger gem which are within a 30 degree angle of the table of thesmaller gem). The facets of the larger gem can be at an acute angle tothe table of the larger gem. The small(er) gems in each indentation can,in combination, encircle (with spaces between each one) the larger gem.A prong can be exposed to the top side of the gem setting between eachsmaller gem and the larger gem, inclusive (that is, between every twosmaller gems as well as between every smaller gem and the larger gem).

Another way to describe embodiments of the gem setting is that the gemsetting has a tapered casted basket having a narrower base and wider topside, a central gem set within the casted basket, and a plurality ofsmaller gems encircling the central gem and set within the castedbasket. Each small gem of the plurality of smaller gems is set at anangle offset from a top direction an equal amount (e.g., each small gemhas a table offset 15 degrees from pointing to the top, though each gemis angled relative to its position around the larger gem). Each smallgem covers at least a portion of a top side of the central gem inembodiments.

Prongs can be visible from the top direction between every two of theplurality of said smaller gems forming points on a circle. The castedbasket further can have a plurality of portals, circumferentiallycutting into side walls between the narrower base and the wider topside. The narrower base terminates in a flat circular side in someembodiments. When viewing from the top direction towards the narrowerbase, each small gem continues in a substantially identical direction asfacets of the central gem in embodiments.

In yet another way of describing embodiments of the gem setting, acasted basket can extend upward from a base (circular, pointed, orotherwise) with a side wall extending at an obtuse angle outwards fromthe circular base. At least a majority of the side wall can have acircular cross-section. A plurality of indentation at a top side of thecasted basket disposed circumferentially around the side wall can eachhold (be in contact with and/or provide direct support for keepinganother element in place), a gemstone at least partially filling each ofthe indentations. A larger central gemstone can extend a majority of alength between the top side and the circular base. Each gemstone can atleast partially fill each indentation, and in addition, cover at least apart of the larger central gemstone when viewed from the top side.

An angle of the table of each gemstone (other than the central stone),can be substantially equal to an angle of an adjacent facet (defined as“one of the facets closed there-to, a “facet” being a “substantiallyflat region on a surface of a gem”) of the larger central gemstone. Thecasted basket can have a plurality of circumferentially extendingportals. Other than the central largest gem stone, the remaininggemstones (smaller or surrounding stones) can be identical orsubstantially identical in size and/or weight as well as the angle thatthey are offset from a table of the larger central gemstone. When viewedfrom a top side, each gemstone can at least partially fill eachindentation to form a continuous appearance with the larger centralgemstone. A “continuous appearance” is defined as “no visualinterruption from one element to the next, from the viewing angledescribed.” Further, each of the adjacent elements (numbered elementswhich appear next to each other), can or do have a continuous visualappearance and/or be continuous in that they touch or connect.

“Substantially” and “substantially shown,” for purposes of thisspecification, are defined as “at least 90%,” or as otherwise indicated.“Identical” or “exactly” for purposes of this specification, is definedas “within an acceptable tolerance level known in the art.” Any devicemay “comprise” or “consist of” the devices mentioned there-in, aslimited by the claims. Any element described may be one of “exactly” or“substantially” as described.

It should be understood that the use of “and/or” is defined inclusivelysuch that the term “a and/or b” should be read to include the sets: “aand b,” “a or b,” “a,” or “b.”

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a gem with setting of embodimentsof the disclosed technology.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view thereof.

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom plan view thereof.

FIG. 5 shows a side elevation view thereof.

FIG. 6 shows a top side view thereof.

FIG. 7 shows a bottom side view thereof.

FIG. 8 shows an averaged or equalized view of the exterior of a settingof the disclosed technology.

FIG. 9A shows an elevation view of an averaged or equalized view of theexterior of a setting of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 9B shows an inset of FIG. 9A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

Embodiments of a gem setting include a tapered basket has a width of acentral gem stone plus smaller surrounding gem stones at one end. Atanother end, the tapered basket is narrower and the central gem stonesits there-within. The smaller gem stones cover at least some of thefacets of the larger gem stone with a continuous visual appearancebetween the smaller and larger gemstones making the central gem appearlarger. The angle offset of the tables of the smaller stones can beequal to that one of an adjacent facet (adjacent by way of visualappearance or actual distance there-to) or an averaged angle of facetswhich generally face the respective smaller stone. The basket itself canhave a flat base with circular cross sections and indentations at thetop for placement of stones.

Embodiments of the disclosed technology will become clearer in view ofthe following discussion of the figures.

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a gem with setting of embodimentsof the disclosed technology. Here, a gemstone 10 is shown in a castedbasket 50 (herein, referred to as “basket”). The gemstones disclosedherein may be any precious stone including a diamond. Likewise, aplurality of additional smaller gemstones 20 encircle the largergemstone 10. The larger gemstone 10 and smaller gemstones 20 can be ofany spherical cut having spherical edges) such as a full cut or singlecut. The number of smaller gemstones are sized to surround the largergemstone. A plurality of prongs 25 surround the larger gemstone and areused to set (hold to the basket 50) either or both of the largergemstone 10 or the smaller encircled gemstones 20. The basket 50 istapered, such that a circle is formed on both the back and front side ofthe basket, the front side being the side where the face of the gemstone10 is exposed (the largest exposed side of the gemstone 10). A handle 90can also be attached to the basket, and the basket can have one or aplurality of portals. These details will be discussed in greater detailin view of the following figures.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view thereof. Here, the gemstone 10 isheld within the basket 50. The basket itself is divided into variousparts for purposes of this disclosure. The basket 50, is a unitarystructure having a small back end which ends in a circular base 52, thecircular base having the narrowest circumference of the basket 50. Thebasket 50 then tapers outwards from the base 52 along side walls. Theside walls are at an acute angle to the base 52 and comprise or consistof a lower circumferential portion 54, stems 56 (aligned longitudinallywith the portals 55), an upper circumferential portion 57, and topregions 58. Referring to the longitudinal direction between the base 52and the top 58, the extent of each section is defined as follows. Thelower circumferential portion 54 extends between the base 52 and thestems 56. The stems, in turn, being an end along the portals 55 whichextend around the device. These portals 55 allow one to see into thebasket 50 and lessen the amount of material needed to procure theproduct, thereby reducing it's cost. The upper circumferential portion57 extends between the top most part of the portals 55, and where theside walls begin to curve at the top, thus defining the top portion 58of the side walls, where the walls curve into multiple prongs at the topof the device. The term “circumference” as used in this disclosure,refers to the length of a circle or circular cross-section.

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view thereof. Here, the various prongs 24 arevisible between the stones 20 and larger stone 10. Further, the top 58of the side walls of the basket 50, are viewable in this top view as thewalls curve at this point. The top portion 58 of the side walls arefurther defined by the portions which is viewable in the top plan viewof the jewelry item disclosed herein. The upper circumferential portionof the side walls, thus begins where the walls are no longer visible inthe top plan view.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom plan view thereof. In this bottom plan view, thebottom side of the largest gemstone 10 is visible inside the basket 5,having a base 52, lower portion 54, stems 56, and upper portion 57.Here, one can clearly also see the tapered nature of the basket 50having a narrower bottom side and a wider top side with angled sidewalls substantially linearly, extending between the bottom and topsides.

FIG. 5 shows a side elevation view thereof. FIG. 6 shows a top side viewthereof. FIG. 7 shows a bottom side view thereof. The top portion 58 ofthe side walls 50 is seen here as it curves over to the top side of thedevice. Further, the tapered nature of the basket 50 is shown withvarious pits between the top 58 of the walls of the basket. The top sideof the larger gem 10 forms a substantially continuous plane with each ofthe smaller gems 20, the gems 20 which can be positioned in indentationsof the basket 50. Any spherical stone can be used for the smaller stones20, each of the smaller stones 20 substantially identical to one anotherentirely, or at least on the top surface thereof with respect to theirshape and cut. When using a 1 karat larger stone 10, one saves about 40%of the weight of the stone (and area of the stone), than if the samestone extended on its top side as far as each of the smaller stones 20covers on the top of the product (what is viewable in the top planview).

FIG. 8 shows an averaged or equalized view of the exterior of a settingof the disclosed technology. The numbers indicated here have beenmultiplied by 10 compared to corresponding parts on each of the otherfigures. Here, a gemstone 100 is shown in a basket 500. The portion 505represents the area covered by the small gemstones 20. This shape iscreated based on the position of the smaller gemstones positioned on topof the basket around the exterior of the top side of the larger gemstone100. It should be understood that any cut of gem can be used, as long asthe table of the larger gem 10 is exterior to the basket 50. The basketis wider than the pavilion angle in embodiments of the disclosedtechnology, and has the same or a larger pavilion depth than the largergem 10. The facets (exterior to the table) of the larger gem 10, angledownwards from the table of the gem. The smaller gems are angled so thattheir tables are substantially equal on average, to the angle of thefacets of the larger gem 10.

FIG. 9A shows an elevation view of an averaged or equalized view of theexterior of a setting of the disclosed technology. FIG. 9B shows aninset of FIG. 9A. Here the gem 20 is shown having a central axis 21(from the center of the top of the gem through the bottom post point ofthe gem, the top being defined by the large flat portion, the sidesbeing defined by the tapered portion, and the bottom being defined bythe point where the tapered portion joins together at a single point).The large gemstone 10 is also tapered, as is the basket 50. However, asis shown in the figures, the side walls of the basket 50, thoughtapered, are wider than the taper of the large gem 10. If one were toextend the face of the larger gemstone 10, it would extend over the area505 shown in FIG. 8, which corresponds to the top of the smaller gems20. That is, the gemstone 10 is made to look like a gemstone coveringthe area defined by not only the top of gemstone 10, but also of thesmaller gemstones 20. This gives the appearance of a gemstone having thecombination of the top of gemstone 10, as well as gemstones 20, becauseof the generally equal angle of the top of both gemstones 10 and 20relative to each other, forming a substantially continuous planarsurface in embodiments of the disclosed technology.

Thus, an imaginary line formed by the central axis 21 of each of thesmaller gemstones 20, can be equal to and/or parallel and/orsubstantially equal to and/or substantially parallel to the tapered sidewall of the larger gem 10, as shown in FIG. 9B. To an observer viewingthe gems from the top or sides, it appears as a single substantiallycontinuous setting. In embodiments, each of the smaller gems 20 touchesthe larger gem 10. In embodiments, a top side of each gem 20hangs/extends at least partially over a top side of the larger gem 10.In embodiments, the top side of the gem 10 includes a portion with anangle less than that of the entirety of the top side of each gem 20, anda portion with an angle more than that of the entirety of the top sideof each gem 20.

While the disclosed technology has been taught with specific referenceto the above embodiments, a person having ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departingfrom the spirit and the scope of the disclosed technology. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects, only as illustrativeand not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and rangeof equivalence of the claims, are to be embraced within their scope.Combinations of any of the methods and apparatuses described hereinaboveare also contemplated and within the scope of the invention.

1. A gem setting, comprising: a casted basket having: a flat base, saidflat base forming a first smallest circumference of tapered side wallsof said casted basket; alternating stems and portals at a mid-region ofsaid tapered side walls, said stems being of a unitary construction andforming a continuous plane with said first smallest circumference ofsaid tapered side walls and a largest circumference of said castedbasket; said largest circumference being interrupted by multipleindentations with a smaller gem held in each said indentation, wherein asize of said smaller gem is relative to a larger center gem having amass at least five times of each said smaller gem; said larger gem,having a table and at least a part of facets thereof visible from a topside of said gem setting, said top side being defined as a side oppositesaid flat base; and each said smaller gem obstructing from a top view ofsaid gem setting at least a portion of said facets of said larger gem.2. The gem setting of claim 1, wherein each said smaller gem has a tablesubstantially parallel to an average angle of said facets of said largergem.
 3. The gem setting of claim 2, wherein said facets of said largergem are at an acute angle to said table of said larger gem.
 4. The gemsetting of claim 3, wherein said smaller gems in each said indentationcombine to encircle said larger gem.
 5. The gem setting of claim 4,wherein a prong is exposed to said top side of said gem setting betweeneach smaller gem and said larger gem.
 6. A gem setting comprising: atapered casted basket having a narrower base and wider top side; acentral gem set within said casted basket; and a plurality of smallergems encircling said central gem and set within said casted basket;wherein each small gem of said plurality of smaller gems is set at anangle offset from a top direction to an equal amount; and wherein eachsaid small gem covers at least a portion of a top side of said centralgem.
 7. The gem setting of claim 6, further comprising prongs visiblefrom said top direction between every two of said plurality of saidsmaller gems, forming points on a circle.
 8. The gem setting of claim 7,wherein said casted basket further comprises a plurality of portalscircumferentially cutting into side walls between said narrower base andsaid wider top side.
 9. The gem setting of claim 8, wherein saidnarrower base terminates in a flat circular side.
 10. The gem setting ofclaim 9, wherein when viewing from said top direction towards saidnarrower base, each said small gem continues in a substantiallyidentical direction as facets of said central gem.
 11. A gem settingcomprising: a casted basket extending upward from a circular base with aside wall extending at an obtuse angle outwards from said circular base,wherein at least a majority of said side wall has a circularcross-section; a plurality of indentions at a top side of said castedbasket disposed circumferentially around said side wall; a gemstone atleast partially filling each said indentation; a larger central gemstoneextending a majority of a length between said top side and said circularbase; wherein each said gemstone at least partially filling each saidindentation covers at least a part of said larger central gemstone whenviewed from said top side.
 12. The gem setting of claim 11, wherein anangle of a table of each said gemstone which at least partially fillseach said indentation is substantially equal to an angle of an adjacentfacet of said larger central gemstone.
 13. The gem setting of claim 12,wherein said casted basket comprises a plurality of circumferentiallyextending portals.
 14. The gem setting of claim 13, wherein each saidgemstone at least partially filling each said indentation issubstantially identical in size, weight, and angle offset from a tableof said larger central gemstone.
 15. The gem setting of claim 14,wherein when viewed from a top side, each said gemstone at leastpartially filling each said indentation forms a continuous appearancewith said larger central gemstone.
 16. The gem setting of claim 15,wherein said larger central gemstone fills a majority of an interiorspace within said casted basket.